So– you’ve been eyeing GoHighLevel, huh? Perhaps you have actually seen the glowing evaluations. Heard about the all-in-one magic. Check out exactly how it can replace your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– kidding (sort of) How Does GoHighLevel Pay You.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one effective control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running a company, the concept of simplifying every little thing under one roofing seems like an efficiency desire. Yet let me quit you right there … since I fell for the hype. And I wish someone had actually ordered me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you with my rollercoaster of an adventure with GoHighLevel– from confident beginnings to a total 180. If you’re seriously thinking about making the button, read this initial. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Also Looked at GoHighLevel
You ever before obtain that crave something brand-new? Like when your favorite pair of footwear all of a sudden feels … boring? That’s what occurred to me. I ‘d been utilizing Keap (you might remember it as Infusionsoft) for several years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it functioned wonderful.
I indicate, Keap dealt with everything: email marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It simply clicked with the means I ran my organization. Certain, it wasn’t best, but it was trustworthy. Like a great old Toyota– you’re not bragging about it, however it obtains you where you need to do without breaking down.
So why did I start looking at the fancy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of glossy things disorder. Yep. It’s actual. And if you’re a business owner like me, you understand specifically what I’m talking about. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming concerning a “game-changer,” you start wondering if you’re missing out. And prior to I knew it, I was deep-diving right into GoHighLevel demos and thinking, “Possibly it’s time.”
Big. Error.
The Price of Switching: What It Actually Took
Allow’s not sugarcoat this– moving your agency’s whole technology stack is ruthless. I want I might tell you I just clicked a switch and voilà, I was operating on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a look of what I actually went through:
- Exported over 20,000 calls from Keap (by hand).
- Restore a dozen automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail series, lead nurturing.
- Moved every client note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Set up landing pages. Once more.
- Reconnected payment integrations like Stripe.
- Spent close to 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not forget the mental energy it sucked out of me. You recognize that worn down, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for too long? That was my life for 2 weeks right.
I told myself, “This discomfort will be worth it.” It wasn’t.
When It All Started Falling Apart
Initially, it looked like points were working. Automations were firing. E-mails were going out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– turmoil.
One early morning I woke up to a nightmare: 171 e-mails had actually been sent to the wrong team of get in touches with. Totally unimportant content. Three days in a row. And not the exact same individuals either– different sets each time. I was frightened.
I tore via the automation setups, removed and rebuilt sequences, even reached out to support. Their action? “Web server problem.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No urgency. No liability. And the e-mails just kept heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything essential. My audience mattered excessive to risk one more error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Disappointment
Let me repaint you a photo. You’re trying to tweak a workflow. Easy job, right? Other than currently you’re 12 clicks deep in food selections that do not make sense. Tags aren’t clear. Settings are concealed in places no one would rationally look.
Their funnel builder? Don’t even get me started. You have to access three various arrangement panels– scattered throughout the interface– to upgrade a single funnel.
It felt like constructing IKEA furniture without instructions. I intended to like the adaptability, yet whatever about the customer experience made me seem like I needed a developer sitting next to me 24/7.
And this is originating from someone who ‘d been running automations and developing funnels for years. If I was having a hard time, I can not envision what it’s like for someone simply starting.
Surprise Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they do not market plainly: GoHighLevel costs per e-mail you send out with their system.
Yep. On top of your $297/month agency plan, there are sly little fees that start piling up. I discovered random $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Turns out, I was acquiring shipment costs through Mailgun, their e-mail supplier.
So what resembled a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not a lot. By the end of the month, I was spending more than I did on Keap– and obtaining way much less reliability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me How Does GoHighLevel Pay You.
Email Performance Tanked– Which Was the Last lick
If you do any kind of kind of email marketing, you understand exactly how important deliverability is. You spend years nurturing your checklist, constructing depend on, adjust subject lines. So when your open prices hand over a high cliff, it resembles seeing your hard work get purged away.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched to GoHighLevel.
My open prices fell from around 35% to barely scuffing 10%. I modified subject lines, verified domains, warmed up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And considering that GoHighLevel depends on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing e-mail live roulette.
At that point, I couldn’t validate staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Use GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I wouldn’t recommend it. Not if you’re seeking something steady, user-friendly, and trustworthy. There’s way too much at stake– your reputation, your client experience, your profits.
But if you’re still curious, a minimum of share your eyes wide open. Examination whatever. Don’t blindly rely on the hype.
Lessons Discovered (So You Do Not Repeat My Errors).
Here’s the truth no person tells you when you’re going after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick to what works– unless there’s a very good reason to switch.
Keap wasn’t fancy, yet it was solid. That deserves greater than any brand-new feature.
2. Simplicity beats intricacy– each time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is much better than a Monster system that does 100% severely.
3. Don’t fall for affordable price– check out the actual expense.
Check out the small print. Inquire about deliverability charges. Know what “unrestricted” actually implies.
4. Look out for biased evaluations.
A great deal of the beautiful testimonials available? They’re from affiliates attempting to rack up a commission. Find individuals with nothing to acquire.
5. Pay attention to your gut.
If something feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– do not ignore it.
Much Better Alternatives to Consider
If you’re seeking a platform that in fact works the way it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top choice. Impressive automation, solid deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with wonderful job administration tools for small groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling quickly.
Monday— Even more project-focused, however fantastic for customer collaboration and task monitoring.
Bonsai— Constructed for freelancers and creatives. Super tidy, extremely streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to whatever. And if it functioned faultlessly, I ‘d possibly be their most significant supporter. Yet it really did not. And I can not claim or else.
So before you study a full-scale movement– or even worse, encourage your customers to do the same– breathe. Ask the tough inquiries. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You have actually functioned also tough to develop something great. Do not risk it on a system that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my 2 cents? Stick with tools that simply function.